The 7th District courtroom was packed Monday, as 25-year-old Tyler Barney was scheduled to be formally charged in connection with allegations of child sex abuse.
Barney, aВ roommateВ of Timothy and Amanda Romano, has been accused of sexually abusing multiple children. The trio have been charged with more than 15 first-degree felonies. Barney was arrested November 10 and booked into the Carbon County Jail after sufficient evidence had been collected, linking him to the crimes of Timothy and Amanda Romano.
Timothy Romano, 25, was taken into custody along with his wife on November 9 for the sexual abuse of children over the past two years. Investigators suspect the trio may have sexually abused multiple children over that time period, and are aware of six at this time.
A presence hard to ignore in the courtroom, clad in leather and wearing grim faces, were representatives of the Carbon County Chapter of B.A.C.A., Biker’s Against Child Abuse. The team has made its presence known to offer assistance to those harmed in this case, a case that “hits too close to home,” as chapter president Ted Allen explained.
“We want the community to know we are aware of this incident, and we won’t allow it to be swept under the rug,” he said.
The mission of B.A.C.A. is to empower children,В specificallyВ those who have been abused.
“We are here to help these children put this behind them,” Allen said. “Whether we are a shoulder to cry on, can help in the counseling efforts, or simply someone fighting their fight, we will see this case through to the end.”
Though members of the B.A.C.A. organization had hoped to see the next step in the judicial process, a mistake had been made on the docket, meaning Barney will be officially charged Wednesday through videoВ arraignment.
Charges were filed against Mr. and Mrs. Romano on Wednesday, December 5. Timothy Romano was charged with two counts of aggravated sex abuse of a child, a first-degree felony, in connection with one child. Amanda Romano was charged with five counts of object sex abuse of a child, five counts of sodomy on a child, and four counts of aggravated sex abuse of a child, all first-degree felonies, in connection with two children.
“In all my years of police work, I have never come across a more disturbing case,” said Price City Police Captain Bill Barnes.
Barnes said the victimized children knew the Romano’s and those in the household. He further explained that it was not a “stranger danger situation.”
Barnes reported the children range in age from 2-15 at the time of the abuse. He furtherВ encouragesВ any who believe their children may have been abused to notify officials immediately by calling 435-636-3190.
“New evidence is being discovered every day in this case,” he said. “We don’t know how many others may have been affected.”
On Monday, Judge Douglas B. Thomas set a preliminary hearing for the trio for 9 a.m. on December 21.
If you or your family are in need of assistance from the B.A.C.A. organization, call (435) 637-2236.
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